Sherman & Roylance Assisted Living Brokerage: Your Trusted Partner in Senior Housing

The senior housing industry is experiencing seismic change. A swelling wave of baby boomers, tighter capital markets, and evolving models of care have all converged to create both unprecedented demand and heightened complexity. For owners, operators, and investors, the stakes have never been higher—or more rewarding. In this environment, working with a brokerage that specializes exclusively in senior living real estate can be the difference between a routine deal and a transformative one.

The Senior Housing Landscape in 2024

By 2030, every member of the baby-boomer generation will be at least 65 years old, pushing the number of older Americans to more than 73 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This demographic swell is already driving a sustained uptick in demand for assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities.

At the same time, operators are grappling with rising labor costs and stricter regulatory oversight. The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) reported that occupancies in the primary 31 markets rose to 84.2 percent in Q1 2024—a notable rebound that still leaves room for growth. Capital is available, but lenders and equity partners are scrutinizing underwriting assumptions more closely than ever.

These converging forces mean that facilities can appreciate quickly when positioned properly, and they can lose value just as fast when operational challenges go unaddressed. Accurate valuation, strategic marketing, and access to the right buyer pool have become mission-critical.

Moreover, the evolving preferences of seniors are reshaping the types of services and amenities that facilities must offer. Today's seniors are not only looking for basic care but also for vibrant communities that provide social engagement, wellness programs, and opportunities for lifelong learning. Facilities that incorporate technology, such as telehealth services and smart home features, are becoming increasingly attractive, as they enhance the quality of life and provide peace of mind for both residents and their families.

In addition, the integration of innovative design elements is gaining traction, with many new developments focusing on creating environments that foster independence while ensuring safety. Concepts such as universal design, which accommodates a wide range of mobility and accessibility needs, are becoming standard. This shift not only improves the living experience for residents but also aligns with the growing trend of aging in place, allowing seniors to remain in familiar surroundings as their needs change over time.

Who Are Sherman & Roylance?

Sherman & Roylance (S&R) is a boutique, nationwide brokerage devoted solely to the senior housing and skilled nursing sector. With more than 150 years of combined industry experience, the firm has facilitated over $5.5 billion in transactions while maintaining a fiercely guarded off-market approach. Only pre-qualified buyers and operators ever see an S&R listing, preserving confidentiality for sellers and ensuring that each opportunity receives thoughtful consideration instead of mass exposure.

The team’s depth of knowledge spans investment sales, healthcare operations, and asset valuation. That expertise culminates in a consultative process aimed at maximizing both financial return and the long-term success of the community involved.

In addition to their transactional prowess, Sherman & Roylance prides itself on its comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape that governs senior housing and skilled nursing facilities. This insight allows them to navigate complex compliance issues, ensuring that their clients remain on the right side of regulations while pursuing profitable ventures. The firm’s commitment to ongoing education and market research further empowers their clients, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving industry.

Moreover, S&R's approach is not just about numbers; it also emphasizes the importance of community impact. They recognize that every transaction has the potential to influence the lives of residents and their families. By focusing on operators who prioritize quality care and innovative solutions, Sherman & Roylance helps shape a better future for senior living. Their dedication to fostering relationships within the industry ensures that they remain at the forefront of trends and best practices, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders involved in the senior housing sector.

Core Services Tailored to Owners and Investors

Valuation, Analysis & Strategy

S&R begins every engagement with a complimentary, confidential valuation. Leveraging market-specific comps, reimbursement trends, and facility-level performance metrics, the brokerage provides an honest range of value—not an inflated figure designed to win a listing. Clients receive a detailed analysis outlining upside potential, risk factors, and market positioning so they can decide whether to refinance, sell, or hold.

Buyer & Seller Representation

For sellers, S&R builds a bespoke marketing package and shares it only with a hand-picked roster of qualified investors or operators. For buyers, the firm sources off-market deals that match targeted criteria, whether the goal is regional expansion or first-time entry into senior housing. Either way, every move is made with absolute discretion to protect residents, staff, and brand reputation.

Healthcare Bankruptcy & Distressed Assets

When a facility faces financial distress, time is of the essence. S&R’s seasoned team steps in to negotiate with lenders, manage regulatory hurdles, and orchestrate an orderly sale that preserves the highest value possible. Their understanding of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement models is particularly useful in bankruptcy court, where speed and credibility can determine the outcome.

Senior Housing Development

From site selection and entitlement to capital stack structuring, S&R guides clients through the nuances of new development. The firm also advises on adaptive reuse, helping owners navigate the zoning and design modifications required to convert underutilized commercial assets into vibrant senior communities.

Recent Transactions Highlighting Market Savvy

The best way to gauge a brokerage’s acumen is to study its deals. Sherman & Roylance’s track record spans both coasts, underscoring an ability to adapt to vastly different sub-markets.

• In July 2024, the firm closed the $4.4 million sale of a 32-bed assisted living and memory care facility in Whittier, California. The deal combined institutional capital with seller financing, showcasing creativity in a capital-tight environment (Whittier Transaction).

• Earlier in February 2024, S&R brokered an $8.3 million sale of a 55-bed community in Monterey, California, to a San Diego-based husband-and-wife team relocating their operations (Monterey Deal).

• In June 2024, S&R arranged the disposition of an eight-acre, shovel-ready site in Austin, Texas. Originally entitled for 98 assisted living and memory care units, the land went to Novak Brothers, who are weighing a pivot to multifamily due to shifting market dynamics. Advising on the viability of alternative exits is part of S&R’s holistic approach.

The Sherman & Roylance Advantage

Confidentiality is more than a buzzword for S&R—it is a guiding principle. Listings are never blasted across online portals. Instead, the firm leverages what it calls “one of the largest nationwide databases for skilled nursing and senior housing assets,” cultivated over decades of relationship-building. This ensures that serious buyers receive first look while residents, staff, and competitors remain unaware until the appropriate time.

Another differentiator is the firm’s operator-centric mindset. Transaction value is not judged solely by cap rates or price per bed; it also accounts for operational continuity, staffing stability, and resident wellbeing. This philosophy resonates with mission-driven owners who value legacy as much as liquidity.

How the Brokerage Process Works

Below is a high-level overview of the typical roadmap S&R follows, tailored for each client:

1. Initial Consultation & Market Snapshot
A discreet phone call, NDA execution, and data request kick off the process. Ownership receives a no-cost valuation and strategy memo within days.

2. Customized Marketing Plan
If the client elects to sell, S&R crafts a confidential information memorandum (CIM) and vetting questionnaire, then identifies a short list of qualified parties.

3. Controlled Bid Process
Interested parties submit indications of interest, often with an operator business plan. S&R narrows the field to finalists, facilitating on-site tours after hours or under nondisclosure to safeguard privacy.

4. Due Diligence & Closing
The firm coordinates environmental, legal, and clinical diligence, leveraging its in-house professionals and outside specialists. Closing is scheduled around census patterns to minimize resident disruption.

Navigating Future Trends in Senior Housing

Integrated care models are becoming standard, combining primary care, therapy, and social programming under one roof. Operators that demonstrate clinical differentiation command premium pricing, and brokers who can articulate that value story gain a competitive edge.

Another trend is the conversion of stalled senior projects into multifamily or mixed-use developments—something S&R field-tested in its Austin transaction. Flexibility to reposition assets increases exit optionality and shields investors from downside risk.

Finally, technology adoption—ranging from electronic health records to fall-detection sensors—is influencing valuation. Facilities that document improved outcomes through tech integration often fetch higher prices and broader lender interest.

Choosing the Right Partner

Picking a brokerage may feel like choosing a surgeon: credentials matter, but bedside manner matters just as much. Sherman & Roylance’s boutique size allows principals to remain hands-on, providing real-time feedback and swift problem-solving. That agility can be critical when a surprise survey deficiency or title issue threatens to derail a closing.

Clients also benefit from S&R’s presence at major conferences such as the NIC Spring Conference, where market sentiment and fresh underwriting benchmarks are gathered directly from lenders and operators. Knowledge travels fast, but relationships often travel faster.

Conclusion: A Partnership Built on Expertise and Trust

The senior housing sector stands at the nexus of demographic inevitability and healthcare innovation. For those ready to capitalize on this convergence—whether by exiting a legacy asset, expanding a regional platform, or developing a new community—Sherman & Roylance offers a trusted, highly specialized path forward.

Confidentiality, analytical rigor, and genuine passion for elder care underpin every assignment. In an age where information moves quickly and complexity multiplies, that combination can safeguard value and turn opportunity into achievement.

Explore how a bespoke strategy can elevate your next transaction by visiting the firm’s official site: Sherman & Roylance Senior Living Brokerage. The future of senior housing is unfolding now; partner with experts who see the full picture.